Sangju, South Korea: The Shincheonji Church of Jesus Taekwondo Team has once again showcased its international prowess, clinching 4 gold, 7 silver, and 14 bronze medals at the 2025 Park Chung-hee Cup International Open Taekwondo Championships in Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea.
The prestigious tournament, held at the Sangju Indoor Gymnasium from July 18 to 21, brought together over 4,200 competitors from 18 countries, including the United States and France, across multiple categories like poomsae, breaking, sparring, and high-performance kicks.
All 25 Shincheonji athletes competing in the recognized poomsae individual event walked away with medals, maintaining the team’s remarkable streak of full-podium finishes at global tournaments. The championships were jointly organized by the Gyeongbuk and Sangju Taekwondo Associations.
“We stayed focused—our results speak for themselves”
Gold medalist Lee Jun-wi praised the team’s short but intense preparation period. “We didn’t have much time to train, but I tried to stay focused throughout. I’m grateful that our efforts paid off,” he said.
Head Coach Kim Deok-hoon hailed the team’s discipline and composure. “It was a high-level contest with top athletes from around the world. Our players showed mental strength, and we’ll build on this experience to return stronger next year with an even larger squad,” he stated.
The Shincheonji Taekwondo Team has become a dominant force at international events. Earlier this month, all 12 members secured podium finishes at the 2025 Kim Un-yong Cup International Open in Busan, bringing home 2 golds, 4 silvers, and 5 bronzes.
At the 2024 Mungyeong World Taekwondo Hanmadang, 5 of 18 team members medaled—cementing the team’s status as one of the most disciplined and consistent competitors globally.
Promoting fitness, culture, and excellence
Beyond their spiritual mission, Shincheonji Church of Jesus continues to champion sports, arts, and community wellness. Through initiatives like their Taekwondo program, the church encourages healthy lifestyles and civic pride through organized, high-performance athletic engagement.
The event also reinforced South Korea’s soft power and cultural diplomacy, as Taekwondo’s birthplace hosted yet another successful global competition, drawing praise from international delegations.
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